Can you be gay and Christian? It's not a new question, but it is certainly a hot-button one right now.

Openly gay Democratic presidential hopeful, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, is answering that question loud and clear as part of his platform. At a recent meeting, Buttigieg claimed his sexuality was God-ordained: "If me being gay was a choice, it was a choice that was made far, far above my pay grade," Buttigieg said. "And that's the thing I wish the Mike Pences of the world would understand. That if you got a problem with who I am, your problem is not with me -- your quarrel, sir, is with my creator."

While the statement was quite obviously a publicity stunt to gain favor with the anti-Trump crowd, the deeper question is: Is Buttigieg right? Does God make people gay? The question elicits quite a visceral reaction from most: either hearty approval, or as in the case outlined below, unattractive condemnation.

A group of protesters yelled unhelpful biblical references at Buttigieg at a rally this week. It, of course, gained media attention, not casting Bible-believing Christians in a positive light, but instead making Buttigieg the gracious victor.

In response to the shouts of "Sodom and Gomorrah", Buttigieg said "The good news is, the condition of my soul is in the hands of God, but the Iowa caucuses are up to you."

Here, Franklin Graham does a masterful job of both correcting the poorly-delivered criticism of Buttigieg's sexuality while also setting the record straight on the matter of how God views homosexuality.

"Protesters shouting 'Sodom and Gomorrah' interrupted mayor and 2020 presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg this week at a rally in Iowa," shared Graham. "I don’t agree with heckling anyone—I think we should be respectful. In response, Buttigieg made the comment, “'he condition of my soul is in the hands of God …' Mayor Buttigieg is absolutely right—His soul is in the hands of God, so is everyone’s. He also says that he’s a Christian and wants to become the first openly gay president in America’s history. What’s wrong with that picture?" asked Graham.

"In reality, being a Christian isn’t just a title we select or a church membership. It is a faith in God and His Word that transforms our lives to be more like the One we follow—Jesus Christ," explained the bold evangelist. "Jesus said, 'If you love me, you will keep my commandments' (John 14:15). The Bible makes it very clear that homosexuality is a sin," Franklin continued.

"'If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination...' (Leviticus 20:13). That’s what God says and that settles it for me. I stand with the Word of God. I care enough about people to tell them the truth and to warn them about the judgment to come for all sin," concluded Graham on Facebook.

What do you think of Graham's response to Buttigieg's assumption that God approves of his homosexuality? Share your thoughts in the comments! Thank you.